If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

The Following User Says Thank You to wintermute For This Useful Post:

Re: 2012 NBA rumors thread part II

Pheew, thanks vnzla.

Regarding the Josh Smith rumors, from the Pacers perspective, what do you do with West? Neither can play the 3, nor should either play the 5. Even though you could play them together at times, what do you do assuming Roy starts at the 5?

Bring one off the bench? Josh won't go for that, you can be sure. David, maybe, but doubt it.

I think you'd have to get a 3rd team involved and try to turn West into a guard, IMO.

Re: 2012 NBA rumors thread part II

Joe Freeman: Are trade rumors affecting #Blazers? Jamal Crawford: “I think at the end of the day, we’re only human. So no matter what somebody says I’m sure it’s in the back of their heads. They hear about the rumors and stuff." Twitter

Re: 2012 NBA rumors thread part II

Regarding the Josh Smith rumors, from the Pacers perspective, what do you do with West? Neither can play the 3, nor should either play the 5. Even though you could play them together at times, what do you do assuming Roy starts at the 5?

Bring one off the bench? Josh won't go for that, you can be sure. David, maybe, but doubt it.

I think you'd have to get a 3rd team involved and try to turn West into a guard, IMO.

I would try to trade West to Atlanta plus other pieces for JS, probably West+Tyler+picks for JS and Marvin Williams contract.

The Following User Says Thank You to vnzla81 For This Useful Post:

Re: 2012 NBA rumors thread part II

I wonder what are they asking for to get Rondo?

Quote:
Rajon Rondo, G, Celtics
I know the Celtics are saying Rondo isn't going anywhere. But there are two problems with that. (1) It doesn't jibe with what a number of NBA GMs are saying based on conversations they've had with Celtics president Danny Ainge. (2) Ainge isn't stupid. He doesn't want to trade Rondo, but Rondo is the best chip he has to play right now.

If Ainge waits and does nothing, the Celtics will be a middling lottery team without much hope next season -- in the same spot where Ainge inherited them a few years ago. He doesn't want to go back there. If he can get two pieces back for Rondo, I think he'll do it. Atlanta, Portland and Indiana are interesting destinations if they are willing to pay.

Re: 2012 NBA rumors thread part II

Here's the full Josh Smith article...

Atlanta Hawks: Josh Smith still wants to be traded | Atlanta Hawks

Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael Cunningham
Miami–Even as Josh Smith is having a strong season for the Hawks he has let the team know he wants to be traded as the March 15 deadline approaches, according to people with knowledge of Smith’s thinking.

And the reasons for Smith’s dissatisfaction with the team now have to make the Hawks wonder if they will be able to sign him to a contract extension next season.

By the end of last season Smith wanted out of Atlanta because he believed he was singled out for unfair criticism by coaches and media. Those concerns have died down for the most part this season but now Smith believes he needs a fresh start with a franchise where he can better reach his potential on and off the court, according to one of the people with knowledge of Smith’s thinking.

The person said one of Smith’s complaints is that he believes the Hawks didn’t do enough to promote him for selection to the All-Star team, which he thinks contributed to lesser players being voted to the team by Eastern Conference coaches. Smith, an Atlanta native who has played his entire seven-year career with the Hawks, also would like to play for a franchise he believes is more committed to winning a championship.

As the trade deadline approaches, the Hawks have taken calls from teams interested in acquiring Smith—Golden State is among the teams who have inquired. But the Hawks so far have given no indication that they intend to part with Smith, who likely would command a high price in a trade.

Smith, 26, is under contract through next season, after which he can become an unrestricted free agent. If the Hawks don’t trade Smith and can’t alleviate his concerns by then, they face the real possibility of him signing with another team in the summer of 2013 because there figures to be a strong market for him.

I asked Smith about all of this last night before the Hawks played the Heat but he declined to comment. This is the third season in a row he’s been at the center of trade rumors.

“I really don’t pay any attention to it,” he said. “I just go out there and play the way I play and not worry about anything else. I know this is a business. Whatever happens, happens in the long run. But I know as long as I’m with the Hawks, I have to put my best foot forward.”

This season Smith is averaging 17.1 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.0 blocks and 1.5 steals. No other player in the league can match those numbers across all categories. It’s that all-around productivity that makes the Hawks reluctant to part with Smith.

Smith’s value as a defender at the basket becomes obvious when Hawks opponents drive to rim when Smith goes to the bench.

“People look at the offensive end but defensively he changes the game,” Hawks coach Larry Drew said recently. “He is one of the few players I think that can play a defensive game and impact the game even if his offense is not on that night.”

The main knock on Smith’s game is his shooting.

After making 39 percent of his long two-point shots last season, a mark that was right at the league average, Smith is making just 31 percent of those attempts this season while attempting nearly two more per game. However, he’s attempting more shots per game at the basket and fewer 3-pointers than last season and his free-throw rate is up slightly.

Smith’s free-throw percentage has plummeted to a career-low 57.7 percent this season after he made a career-high 72.5 percent in 2010-11. His free-throw percentage has improved over the last 20 games or so.

Smith said he’s improved his free-throw shooting by taking his time at the line and expects his jump shots to start falling more often as the season goes on.

“It’s a long season but it came to you real quick,” he said. “They are throwing games at us left and right. If you look around the league most people’s percentages are down more so than usual.”

Smith’s emotional demeanor on the court has drawn fire from critics and has caused friction with teammates at times. But Jerry Stackhouse , an Atlanta resident who had developed a relationship with Smith before joining the Hawks this season, said Smith has grown in that area and Smith’s ability makes it difficult for the Hawks to trade him.

“His talent, that’s what you can’t give up on with Josh,” Stackhouse said. “It’s easy to say, ‘All right, let’s just move him.’ And then he goes and clicks at the next stop and you’ve got to look at that every night and you had it in house. That’s kind of the dilemma with Josh. You know you are going to get some uneasy moments from time to time but, for the most part, he’s really about winning. He wants to win. He’s competitive. I relate to that.

“How he handles his emotions and frustrations, sometimes he rubs people the wrong way and bruises them. But I think he’s happy-go-lucky. He thinks, ‘It was just heat of the moment’ and we can move on from it but he can bruise people. I think he’s learning that. He is learning to control his emotions a little better and it’s good for our team. The better Josh Smith is, the better the Atlanta Hawks are.”

Smith said his emotion fuels his performance but he’s made an effort to tone it down in the past couple seasons. He said he’s especially done so this year as injuries to Al Horford and Joe Johnson have increased the team’s reliance on him.

“I’m definitely an emotional player but I’m kind of bottling it up, understanding the importance of what my team needs and just trying to stay positive and have constructive criticism when possible,” he said. “Now I’m at the point of my career where I can voice my opinion a little bit more and it will be recognized more than back in the day [when] it got drowned out more so than anything else.

“[Teammates] know that I have good intentions, no matter how it’s delivered. I am saying stuff because I want to win games. It’s not nothing personal or to try to hurt or bash any one of my teammates or anyone else.”

Re: 2012 NBA rumors thread part II

Postups: Free-agent frenzy, or lack thereof, all hangs on Howard
By Ken Berger

With seven days to go before the trade deadline, either this is the calm before the storm or there simply won't be a storm this year. NBA team executives are torn over what kind of frenzy the March 15 deadline will bring.

"It's all over the map," said one team executive who believes that all but the best of the best -- the Bulls, the Heat and the Thunder -- will seriously pursue trades, but perhaps only six or fewer teams actually will make one.

The obvious impediment to significant deals getting done is the uncertainty over Orlando's decision with Dwight Howard. Teams that are involved in, or on the periphery of the Howard sweepstakes, are reluctant to get involved in other deals until the Magic decide whether they're trading their franchise center in the next seven days or not.

The stalemate between Howard (who has not committed to staying in Orlando beyond this season), and the Magic (who are insisting on trying to hold onto him) has paralyzed the teams on Howard's list of preferred destinations (the Nets, Lakers and Mavericks) while also preventing other dominoes from tumbling.

The other factors are not Howard-related. For one, a significant number of teams are reluctant to take on future salary in anticipation of a more punitive luxury-tax system on the horizon. Even the perennially money-printing Lakers, with their gazillion-dollar regional TV deal, are said to be hesitant to take on money -- even if it means placating Kobe Bryant and helping him win his sixth championship.

For teams on the cusp of playoff contention, the motivation to roll the dice and acquire a high-priced veteran at the deadline is diminished by a well-stocked draft approaching in June. Also, the presence of the amnesty clause has placed a significant chilling effect on the perennial instinct of non-playoff teams to unload bad contracts. Those that haven't used their get-out-of-jail-free card yet can look forward to erasing an undesirable contract via amnesty in the offseason.

"Teams are really reluctant to do anything that's going to cost them anything beyond this year," one executive said.

So as the Dwight turns, along with other factors, this week's Postups focus on trade talk around the league based on conversations with team executives, agents and others in the know:

• The Celtics are prepared to entertain offers for Paul Pierce, whose subtraction from the Boston core would be the most advantageous to the post-Big Three rebuilding effort given his age (34) and the $32 million he's owed over the next two seasons. And for those same reasons, he'll be the most difficult of Boston's top four players to move. The Clippers, indeed, have interest in Ray Allen, but little in the way of movable salary to make a deal work. Rival executives believe Celtics president Danny Ainge would have to be blown away by an offer to move point guard Rajon Rondo.

• The Trail Blazers have been among the most active teams, seeking to move Jamal Crawford and acquire a big man -- either in the same or separate deals. The asking price for Crawford, however, includes a first-round pick in addition to Luke Ridnour (Timberwolves) or Eric Bledsoe (Clippers). Depending on what point guard the Blazers can bring back in a deal, they'd also be in a position to put Raymond Felton out of his misery. Felton's up-tempo style and Nate McMillan's deliberate offense clearly are not fitting together. "They've got to make major changes," one executive said.

• The Hawks won't find a taker for Joe Johnson and the $90 million he has coming to him over the next four years, but rival executives believe Kirk Hinrich could be on the move -- perhaps filling the gaping two-guard hole on the Clippers. That depends on the asking price, as the Clips' assets were diminished in the Chris Paul trade. Execs are torn on what strategy Atlanta ownership will pursue after the sale of the team fell through in November. With a healthy Al Horford, the Hawks almost certainly would be the third-best team in the East. But at some point down the road, a league source said, ownership may "keep Horford and try to dump the rest."

• Flush with cap space and flexibility, the Cavaliers have been actively expressing a willingness to take on money for the right assets. Cleveland already is loaded with draft picks (two first-round picks in each of the next two drafts) and has a valuable commodity in Antawn Jamison -- a veteran stretch forward with an expiring contract. The problem is, contending teams that would be the best fit for Jamison -- such as Orlando or Boston -- don't have room for his $15.1 million salary or pieces they're interested in moving to make a trade work under cap rules.

• The Rockets and Warriors continue to be open to landing Howard in a rental deal, hoping they could persuade the All-Star center to stay beyond the six-week finale to the season. Houston, whose acquisition of Pau Gasol in the ill-fated trade that would've sent Chris Paul to the Lakers, also remains in hot pursuit of the Spaniard, sources say. So are the Timberwolves, who would like to pair Gasol with Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio. The Lakers, however, are unwilling to trade Gasol unless they get a comparable All-Star in return -- preferably one who could provide the guard penetration they're so sorely lacking.

• The Bucks have fielded what one source described as an "amazing" number of inquiries about Stephen Jackson, who has clashed with coach Scott Skiles. But the offers for Jackson, owed $10.1 million next season, have included Milwaukee being asked to take on future salary or include another player or draft pick to sweeten the deal. "It's going to be hard to move him by himself," the source said.

• It's no secret that Minnesota is likely to trade Michael Beasley, with the most interested potential suitors being the Boston, the Lakers and Orlando. The Magic are pursuing multiple avenues in an attempt to improve the team in the hopes that a long playoff run could persuade Howard to stay. If Orlando holds off on trading Howard at the deadline, sources say Beasley could be a viable piece for the Nets to add as they try to upgrade their talent to make the team more attractive to Howard and Deron Williams.

• Steve Nash is said to be "pretty content" with staying with the Suns, but that's more due to his personality and "not wanting to be the bad guy" than his belief that he can finish his career on a winning note there, a person connected to the point guard said. "He'd like to go and win," the person said, "but he's not prepared to play the Carmelo [Anthony] card." It is believed that the Suns would respectfully try to honor a trade request if Nash made one, but it's not his style to ask out and he feels tremendous loyalty toward the organization.

• Teams are slowly beginning to take advantage of a provision in the new collective bargaining agreement allowing veteran players to be sent to the D-League with the union's consent. Besides Lamar Odom's ill-fated assignment to the Texas Legends, which ended before Odom played a game, the Clippers (Eric Bledsoe to Bakersfield), Spurs (Gary Neal to Austin) and Mavs (Yi Jianlian to Texas) have used the new provision for injury rehab. As long as teams don't use it as a punitive measure, the players and NBA teams benefit because the player gets to regain his health and knock off rust in an environment where the affiliate team's offensive and defensive systems are comparable. In addition, it helps the D-League generate interest and sell tickets for games involving known NBA veterans. Among currently injured players, Manu Ginobili (Spurs) and Brook Lopez (Nets) could benefit from a D-League stint in the coming weeks. All of this is a small step, but an important one toward NBA teams using the D-League as a legitimate minor league feeder system instead of a separate entity.

Re: 2012 NBA rumors thread part II

One source tells FOX Sports Ohio that “it’ll be a miracle” if Ramon Sessions is still with Cleveland after the trading deadline.

“I don’t know that they’re actively shopping him, but they’re certainly listening,” the source said. “It’s nothing personal. (Sessions and the Cavs) have a strong relationship. The Cavs really respect and admire him. They wouldn’t be against keeping him. But it‘s a tough situation. Kyrie (Irving) is the point guard of the future there, and Ramon could go somewhere else and start.”

Sessions has been linked to the Los Angeles Lakers, who were expected to step up their pursuit of him during All-Star weekend.

Re: 2012 NBA rumors thread part II

From the other thread.

Top Ten Stars Most Likely To Be Traded

Quote:
Impact Players Most Likely To Be Moved
(Ranked from most likely to least likely to be traded)

1. Rajon Rondo, G, Celtics
I know the Celtics are saying Rondo isn't going anywhere. But there are two problems with that. (1) It doesn't jibe with what a number of NBA GMs are saying based on conversations they've had with Celtics president Danny Ainge. (2) Ainge isn't stupid. He doesn't want to trade Rondo, but Rondo is the best chip he has to play right now.

If Ainge waits and does nothing, the Celtics will be a middling lottery team without much hope next season -- in the same spot where Ainge inherited them a few years ago. He doesn't want to go back there. If he can get two pieces back for Rondo, I think he'll do it. Atlanta, Portland and Indiana are interesting destinations if they are willing to pay.

2. Josh Smith, F, Hawks
Again, I know what the Hawks are saying. "We're not shopping anyone ... yada, yada, yada." The truth is, Rick Sund has been exploring possible Josh Smith deals for the past few years. If he could get a legit point guard and a credible forward to replace Smith, he'd do it. If the Celtics would offer Rondo, I think they'd have a deal. Ditto if the Suns would offer Steve Nash.

3. Chris Kaman, C, Hornets
It's no secret that Kaman is on the block. Given that the Hornets really don't want much in return, I'm surprised he hasn't found a home already.

The Warriors, Rockets and Heat have shown a lot of interest. And with Jeff Foster still out in Indy, Kaman could be a great fit with the Pacers as well. He has no long-term future in New Orleans. This one is a no-brainer.

4. Monta Ellis, G, Warriors
Ellis is a dynamic scorer, but it just isn't working in Golden State and probably never will as long as Ellis and Stephen Curry are in the backcourt together.

The Warriors really need a big man, which makes a deal tough because most GMs aren't willing to trade big for small. But if the Warriors would be willing to take back Amare Stoudemire from the Knicks or if the Hawks were willing to swap Smith for Ellis, I think there's a deal to be had.

5. Pau Gasol, F, Lakers
Gasol is playing better and so were the Lakers, until this week. That's got to hurt the chances that the Lakers move him for anyone other than Dwight Howard before the deadline. But the Lakers have to be looking at the Celtics and sweating a bit. They don't want to be the team that is on the verge of plummeting into lottery hell next season.

Kobe Bryant won't be playing at this level forever, and neither will Gasol. Gasol can fetch the Lakers some good young assets now. In another year, I'm not sure we'll be able to say the same.

6. Gerald Wallace, F, Blazers
The Blazers balked a bit at moving Wallace at the start of the season, but they seem more open to it now. Nicolas Batum is their long-term answer at the small forward position, and they aren't really competing for a title.

A few long-term assets might be all that's required to pry Wallace from Portland. I could see the Magic making a big push in this direction.

7. Eric Gordon, G, Hornets
Gordon was supposed to be the centerpiece of the Hornets' new rebuilding effort, but injuries have kept him out of the lineup for all but two games this season. With Gordon hitting restricted free agency this summer and preferring to play elsewhere, do the Hornets cut their losses and try to make a deal now while they can?

The team has coveted New Orleans native Danny Granger in the past, and the Pacers would love to bring back one of Indy's own as well. It would be a risky move for the Pacers, as Gordon is still several weeks away from being ready to play. But it could be a great move long term.

8. Dwight Howard, C, Magic
Howard should be atop this list. All signs point to his leaving Orlando this summer if he makes it to unrestricted free agency, where the Nets and Mavs will throw money at him, and the Knicks and Lakers could find ways to get involved, too. Alas, Magic GM Otis Smith thinks he has a shot at keeping Howard and is telling GMs he won't move the All-Star big man before the deadline.

While the offers the Lakers and Nets have put together for Howard won't blow anyone away, they are better than the zero Howard could leave the Magic with this summer.

9. Deron Williams, PG, Nets
If Dwight Howard makes his way to New Jersey, all is well. The Nets would re-sign both Williams and Howard, and suddenly have the best point guard-center combo in the NBA. But if Howard doesn't end up in New Jersey, the Nets will be in danger of losing Williams for nothing. After all they gave up to get him, that has to keep Billy King up at night.

The problem for the Nets is they are paralyzed until they know what's happening with Howard. If the Magic move him to the Lakers or Bulls, Williams moves to the top of this list. If Howard isn't traded and remains on track to become a free agent, Williams will stay put.

10. Steve Nash, PG, Suns
The Suns continue to insist they're not trading Nash, which might be true. That's why Nash is at the bottom of the list. They even believe they have a chance at re-signing him this summer, which is a pipe dream.

The Suns are no longer a playoff team and are on the verge of a major rebuilding project. While Nash has publicly supported the Suns, it doesn't make much sense for either party to keep the marriage alive. Nash is still playing like an All-Star and could have a chance at winning a title elsewhere.

At this point, the Suns won't get much for him. His contract expires in a few months, and Nash has made it clear he'll shop the market. But if the Suns lose him for nothing? They would join the Cavs and Raptors as teams that let their fantasies get in the way of reality.

Re: 2012 NBA rumors thread part II

Don't know if you guys have seen this already, but was taken from Hollinger's chat on ESPN this afternoon...music to my ears

In math classi (Indy)

Will the Pacers go after Rondo, Ellis, or Gordon? If not then who?

John Hollinger (2:17 PM)

I think Pacers are very intrigued by Rondo and really like Gordon if they keep the cap space heading into this summer. Ellis? Haven't heard anything about him and frankly I think he's a weird fit on a team that already needs more passing, not less.

I'd do a DG+DC+Kaman for Rondo+Ray Allan+JO (his contract)...Why would Boston do it? They get a young pg still, a true center in Kaman allowing KG to play exclusively the 4 and a borderline all-star in Danny. Pierce moving to the 2.....Pacers get their pass-first point guard and a shooter in Allan who has one, two, maybe three good years left in him.

Re: 2012 NBA rumors thread part II

Man, I don't want to give up a first for Crawford. I never really liked Crawford, and I can't understand Bird's fascination with him.

I like Crawford but why give them a pick when Crawford is pretty much a free agent next year? or if Bird didn't try to be an smart azz he would have signed the guy as a free agent for another mil or two.

Re: 2012 NBA rumors thread part II

I like Crawford but why give them a pick when Crawford is pretty much a free agent next year? or if Bird didn't try to be an smart azz he would have signed the guy as a free agent for another mil or two.

Pretty sure the rumor was Crawford wanted to be out west, and it would have taken a significantly larger contract offer to get him. As in, more than 1-2 million more/year. could be wrong.

And although I wouldn't like to send a pick for a 30 game rental, I'd understand if they did it. It'd sure be nice to get him to pick up his option first, but at this point the pick looks like it could be: